Legendary fictions of the Irish Celts

274
Fictions of the Irish Celts.
bough, the marigold, and the red berries of the yew from
!
the ring of power in the obscure land in the great sea
" Hard," said Cush, " will be the task, O noble knight,
to foil the powerful Amarach. If when you approach
the land at sunset she get into the boat, or you touch
the land till you see us, you are lost ; so will be our
services. Come, brothers, I am obliged to keep one
foot tied for fear of out-distancing my object. You, O
Fir na Saghaidh, are unerring in aim you, O Fir na
;
MuUa Headha, can see through the earth and to its
farthest rim, and can blow tempests from your mouth.
To your tasks ! I hasten before you to the extreme
verge of Hy Conaill (Donegal). There at the base of
the mighty rocks lies the boat to convey me to the dim
land and the circle of power. The voyage which you,
Sir Knight, would not accomplish within a year I will
execute in half a day. Brothers, await my return on the
summit of Rinkan Barra on the brink of the North
Sea."
Tied Foot was on the coast of Hy Conaill at an early
hour, and discovered the fated boat which Amarach was
obliged to keep in the dark cove for the service of adventurers.
She was sitting within it in the appearance of
a fair young woman, and received Cush fe Crish on his first
call. A mether stood in the bow, filled with brown
mead, and the sight enchanted the Avearied and thirsty
traveller. The maiden courteously offered the vessel,
which he gratefully took, and drained to the bottom.
" Lovely maid," said he, " you were beautiful when I
entered your boat ; you are now the most beautiful
within the coasts of Erinn. I want your boat for a
passage to the dim land to fetch the three magic gifts
for Feargal, son of Ciocal. I shall be there and back by
the first hour after mid-day ; but there's no hurry. I
must sit here and converse with you, enslaver of my
heart, for a small hour." As he was endeavouring to
take her hand, his foot escaped from his grasp, and
he fell, overpowered with the magic drink, and lay
"